The History of the Bulgarian Revival in 100 Artifacts

Abstract

A review of: Nenov, Nikolay, ed. 100 Artifacts of the Heroic Time. Visual Stories in the Museum. Sofia: ROD Publishing & Impresario House, 2018, 136 pp. [In Bulgarian: Ненов, Николай, ред. 100 артефакта от героичното време. Визуални разкази за музея. София: Импресарско-издателска къща РОД, 2018, 136 стр.] The book presents 100 аrtifacts from the late Bulgarian National Revival (1867–1878), all of which are currently spread throughout 33 Bulgarian museums. The publication is focused around seven significant topics: Free Time; Self-presentation; Education; Revolutionary Attributes; Weapons, Banners, Signs; Religious Symbols; Memory Objects, with the objects being presented via images and short descriptions. The central approach used to introduce the objects is anthropological. It establishes the main code for deciphering the meaning of the artifacts – a glimpse into history through the medium of the personal story and moments that have been preserved in human memory. The book is an original Bulgarian response to A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor (2011).